I thought CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER was pretty great, largely in part to the slick directing style of Joe and Anthony Russo… and I’m very much looking forward to CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR, which the Russo boys are also helming. So the following news is something we can definitely get on board with. Marvel has officially announced that the Russos will be directing AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR – PART 1 and AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR – PART 2. This will make them the most frequently used directors for any Marvel movie project, as Joss Whedon has already stated he is stepping down as director after AGE OF ULTRON, and up until now Jon Favreau was the only other director to helm more than one Marvel film (he did IRON MAN 1 and 2). But man oh man, what a commitment for these guys. This also comes during speculation that the Russos might have taken over a few other major film properties at Sony, including whatever the re-direction will be with SPIDER-MAN, and the rumored GHOSTBUSTERS movie with Channing Tatum… not sure if these guys would have time to even consider those projects now. With the announcement that Marvel would have a certain amount of crossover control with Spidey moving forward, we could still see the Web-Slinger pop up in INFINITY WAR. So while the idea of Joe and Anthony working on Sony films in between isn’t unthinkable, it would make for some very tight schedules for these guys, and we’re guessing INFINITY WAR 1 and 2 is going to take up a lot of their time no matter what, as those films are supposed to hit in 2018 and 2019, and they still have to get CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR out in May of 2016.
Quick catch-up for those unfamiliar with Marvel stories – CIVIL WAR finds Captain America (Chris Evans) and other heroes going up against Tony Stark/Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) in a superheroes vs. the government scenario, making Iron Man a villain or antagonist… this is also rumored to be Downey Jr.’s last film in the role, but negotiations could change that. INFINITY WAR will put all of the Marvel heroes up against the cosmic supervillain Thanos (Josh Brolin) who comes into possession of the Infinity Gems, giving him seemingly unlimited power. In the comics, CIVIL WAR led into the assassination of Captain America, which lead into Bucky/Winter Soldier (played in the films by Sebastian Stan) becoming the new Cap – it’s rumored that Chris Evans may step down and Sebastian Stan may become the new Cap, just like the comics, but there’s no confirmation of if that’s Marvel’s concrete plan. Evans has already stated pretty definitively he wants to take a break from acting after he’s fulfilled his CAPTAIN AMERICA obligations, so we’re expecting this to be the case. And INFINITY WAR is based on the “Infinity Gauntlet” story in which Thanos wipes out pretty much the entire Marvel universe using the gauntlet with all of the Infinity Gems on it… but is tricked at the end, and everyone is saved, of course.
This also means the style and direction of the AVENGERS films could take on a very different tone than the Whedon installments, as (just based on THE WINTER SOLDIER) the Russos exhibit a more gritty and serious style. I can totally see them continuing their dynamic with CIVIL WAR, as that film’s storyline will undoubtedly be similar to THE WINTER SOLDIER in many aspects. Rumors are also flying that CAP writing team Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely may be writing INFINITY WAR as well, though there’s no confirmation on that yet. What do you think of this news? Does it seem overly ambitious, or the best possible scenario? Let us know in the comments. Read the official Marvel press release below.
As anticipation and excitement build to a fever pitch for Marvel’s “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” the blockbuster sequel to the third-largest movie of all time, Marvel is proud to announce Joe and Anthony Russo will join the franchise as the directors of Marvel’s “Avengers: Infinity War – Part 1” and “Avengers: Infinity War – Part 2.”
The Russo brothers first entered the Marvel Cinematic Universe with Marvel’s “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” one of the top-grossing film’s from 2014, and are currently preparing to shoot Marvel’s “Captain America: Civil War.” The third film in the Captain America franchise will bring the classic storyline from the comics to life pitting Cap (Chris Evans) against Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), as well as introducing Black Panther to the Marvel Cinematic Universe with actor Chadwick Boseman ahead of his own film later in Phase 3.
Before stepping behind the camera for “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” and “Captain America: Civil War,” the Russo brothers served as Executive Producers and directors for many TV series, including “Community” and “Happy Endings.” Joe and Anthony earned a Primetime Emmy award for their work directing the pilot episode of the cult-hit “Arrested Development” series. Their film debut was “Welcome to Collinwood”, produced by Steven Soderbergh and George Clooney.
Born and raised in Dallas, Mark has been a movie critic since 1994, with reviews featured in print, radio and National TV. In 2001 he started the Entertainment section of the Herorealm website, where he contributed film reviews and celebrity interviews until 2004. After three years of service there, he started Bigfanboy.com, which has become one of the Dallas film community's leading information websites. Bigfanboy hosts several movie screenings in the Texas area, and works closely with film and TV studios and promotional partners to host exciting events and contests. The site also features a variety of rare celebrity and filmmaker interviews, and Bigfanboy.com regularly covers the film festival circuit as well. In addition to Hollywood reporting, Mark has worked for many years as an advertising and sci-fi/comic book artist. Clients have included Lucasfilm Ltd., Topps Trading Cards, The Dallas Mavericks and The Dallas Stars. From 2002 until 2015 he managed the Dallas Comic Con, Sci-Fi Expo and Fan Days events in the DFW area. He currently catalogs rare comic books and movie memorabilia for Heritage Auctions, and runs the Dallas Comic Show conventions, but remains an avid moviegoer and cinema buff. 
